The United States has announced fresh sanctions against six entities and individuals accused of supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), targeting a network operating across China, India, Russia and Iran.
The sanctions, announced on Thursday, focus on organisations linked to Mahan Air, which Washington describes as the preferred airline used by the IRGC to transport weapons, military personnel and equipment.
According to the US government, the measures also target DadeNegar Startup Studio, described as an IRGC affiliated front company allegedly involved in gathering information on the locations of American and Israeli military equipment across the Middle East.
US urges businesses to avoid sanctioned entities
US officials called on companies and individuals worldwide to carefully assess the risks of maintaining business relationships with Mahan Air and other sanctioned Iranian carriers.
Washington said continued engagement with such organisations could expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences under US sanctions.
The administration reiterated its commitment to identifying and disrupting networks that provide the IRGC with resources, logistics and information used to threaten American personnel, regional allies and stability in the Middle East.
Sanctions backed by anti terrorism measures
The action was taken by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which authorises sanctions against terrorist organisations, their supporters and those that provide assistance for acts of terrorism.
US officials said the sanctions also support the objectives of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), which directs the US government to deny the IRGC access to financial assets, services and resources used to sustain what Washington describes as destabilising regional activities.
Longstanding restrictions on Mahan Air
The latest measures build on previous sanctions imposed against Mahan Air.
In October 2011, OFAC designated the airline under Executive Order 13224, alleging it provided financial, material and technological support to the IRGC Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
The IRGC Qods Force had earlier been designated in October 2007 under the same executive order for providing material support to multiple organisations classified by the United States as terrorist groups.
The US Department of State also designated the IRGC under Executive Order 13382 in 2007 using counter proliferation authorities, while OFAC imposed additional sanctions against the IRGC in October 2017 under Executive Order 13224 for its support of the IRGC Qods Force.
Washington vows continued enforcement
The United States said it would continue working to identify and disrupt networks that enable the IRGC's operations and limit access to resources used to support its military and regional activities.
The latest sanctions form part of Washington's broader strategy of increasing economic pressure on individuals and organisations accused of assisting Iran's military and security apparatus.
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